It goes without saying that our Winemakers to Watch for 2014 are a forward-thinking bunch. What's more impressive is how well they bridge the worlds of classic and modern California.

Two couples on either end of the state are in full pioneering mode. Sonoma's Megan and Ryan Glaab of Ryme Cellars are best known for their twin Vermentinos, while Alysha Stehly and Chris Broomell of Vesper Vineyards are bringing San Diego County back into the conversation. Yet the Glaabs still adore Cabernet, and Vesper taps that old workhorse, Carignane.

In Santa Barbara, Graham Tatomer believes Gruner Veltliner and Riesling can be California's great whites, while Ledge's Mark Adams is shining a spotlight on his native turf of west Paso Robles.

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